His Unkindled Wrath

It must be a signpost of what lies ahead.

The horrifying acts of violence and degenerate behavior have escalated into weekly episodes, searing the conscience of every Godly man, woman and child haplessly sewn up in a culture that continues to celebrate it.

In anticipation of a Divine remedy, prayers abound and weapons are stockpiled as the frightened masses cry out to their Creator.  The evangelical community frantically witnesses the Good News to an impatient audience, warning them to trust in Jesus because it’s only gonna’ get worse.

And they need to.  

Because it is.

But is the Lord’s due process never administered in real time?  In other words, will all repayment for evil conduct be set aside until the day of the “white throne” Judgement the apostle John envisioned in the Book of Revelation? [Rev. 20:11-15]

Or is it not true that the consequences of ungodly conduct in this age very often accompany or quickly follow its commission?  For example, at the pinnacle of his reign, King David of Israel poached his good friend’s wife and eventually murdered him to hide the offense.  As a result, the Lord took his illegitimate child’s life in return. [2Sam. 11:27, 12:10-14]

On the other hand, it’s also very obvious that the Lord’s scales of justice are routinely set in motion without direct Divine intervention.

If I were to begin reading the apostle Paul’s letter to all who [were] beloved of God in Rome, called as saints, I’d first note that God’s wrath is revealed to everyone He’s made Himself known to but chooses to conceal this knowledge.  These individuals refuse to acknowledge the Lord for who He is by exalting Him or giving thanks.  As a result, each becomes compromised in his capacity to discern right from wrong. [vss. 1:18-21]

So what does God do about it?  

Nothing.  

Instead, He “gives them over”  to revel in the perversions they can’t seem to part with.   As a consequence, they continue to remain well-pleased by “their bodies being dishonored among them,” or with “receiving in themselves the penalty of their error.” [vs. 1:27]  [my emphasis]

The Greek grammar here suggests this act of “receiving” isn’t something to be experienced in the future, but rather being experienced in the present.  

In other words, they’re constantly experiencing the penalty.

It’s interesting that Paul develops the context of these sentences by focusing on the specific issue of homosexual behavior by example.  Maybe this was the most effective way of illustrating a natural principle of God’s created order, that is, that there are serious, real time consequences for seeking insatiable freedom in anything.  Consider also that homosexual behavior is perhaps the most abominable attack against the sacred institution of marriage the Lord ordained in Gen. 2: 24-25.  [see also: Lev.18; 22; 1Cor. 6:9; 1Tim. 1: 8-11]

But perhaps God’s wisdom to allow swift and painful judgement in the present is characteristic of His merciful nature.  Those who choose to turn away from depravity and worship Him are not only saved from the penalty of the second death [Rev. 20:14], but are also viable witnesses in this age for Jesus Christ and the good news about His Kingdom—just like the apostle Paul was.

For the Lord God’s anger has yet to burn in its full fury.

So, I pray that they’ll choose to partake in the heavenly calling and endure until the end in the hope of being transformed into the likeness of their Firstborn Brother and Savior.

I pray they’ll have ears to hear.

“The righteous will rejoice when he sees the vengeance.  He will wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.  And men will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous, surely there is a God who judges on earth!”  [Psa. 58:10-12]